Mechanical mineral-concentrator.



A. MOLANDER.

L MECHANICAL MINERAL CONCENTRATOR.

APPLICATLON F|LEn.ocT.19.1s14.

1,235,497, v Patented July 31,1917.

#WTA/:5556. 22 /Nz/NTOR ALrnnn MOLANDER, or sAULT srn. MAnIngoNrAnIo, CANADA.

MECHA-NICAL MINERAL-CONCENTRATOR.

Speccaton of Letters Patent.

Patented July 31, 1917.

Application led October 19, 1914. Serial N o. 867,385.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that l, ALFRED MOLANDER, of the city of Sault Ste. Marie, in the District of Algoma, in the Province of Ontario, Canada, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mechanical Mineral` Concentrators, of which the following is the specification.

My invention relates to improvements in mechanical mineral concentratorsand the object of the invention is to devise a machine of this class which will have a maximum capacity and byvvhich all metal values of the size which have hitherto been extracted from the ore are prevented from iioating and passing oli' with the waste matter through the overflow outlet and it consists essentially of a main .receptacle having a longitudinally slotted outlet at theA bottom, a Water inlet in proximityvto the top and at each side of the main receptacle, a central discharge trough located slightly below the Water level and leading to a discharge out let at the end of the main receptacle and a feed slot located at each side of the main receptacle and entering the receptacle below the level of the Water contained in such receptacle, means for feeding the crushed ore in a thin stream thereto, means for agitating the Water contained in the receptacle, means for regulating the amount of agitation and means for separating the precipitated values from the liquid as they pass oft' through the outlet slot4 of the main receptacle as hereinafter more particularly explained by the following specification.

Figure 1, is a sidev elevation of my machine. u

2, isv a longitudinal s ection on line :v /J Fig. 3 showing .the major portion of the driving mechanism removed and showing the rubber covered'roller 1n full.

Fig. 3, is a cross section through Fig. 24., l F ig. 4:, is a plan View of my machine Showing the major portion of the drlving ymechanism removed. l i

Fig. 5, is a plan sectionaldetail on line ccf-y Fig. 3.

In the vdra-Wings like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in each `=ligure.

l is'the main receptacle, the bottoni 2 of. which is inclined downward from eachsidey of the receptacletoward the center and 'is` provided at the center with a longitudinally extending exit slot 3. Ll and are a series of longitudinal slots formed 1n the top of the receptaclev 1. 6 and 7 are feed slots formed in the sides of the receptacle 1 inl proximity to the bottom of such sides. 8 and 9 are'receptacles extending longitudinally at each side of the main receptacle 1. The receptacles S and 9 are each provided with feed hoppers 10 and 11 designed to feed the crushed ore through the slotted openings 12 and 13 into the receptaclesS and 9. The receptacles 8 and 9 are supported from the side of the main receptacle 1 by brackets 14 and 15. 1G and 17 are exit slots formed in the lower inner corner of the receptacles S and 9. 19 and 20 are inclined `chutes extending respectively from the exit slots 16 and 17 to the feed slots (i and 7 leading into the main receptacle 1.

21 and 22 are sorev conveyers each mounted on a shaft 23 suitably journaled in the ends of the receptacles 8 and 9. 2i and 25 are ribs extending'longitudinally of the receptacles 8 and 9 respectively along the outer edge of the slotted outlets 16 and 17. By this means when the screw 'conveyers 21l and 22 are revolved they gradually feed the crushed ore over the upper edge of each of the ribs 2l and 25 so that the ore passes in a thin stream through the openings 16 and 17. 26 is a copper pan fitting the bottom of the main receptacle 1 and provided with slots 27 and 28 in the side Walls thereof so as to be opposite the feed slots 6 and 7.

29 and 30 are Water supply pipes leading through one end of the main receptacle 1 and extending longitudinally thereof in proximity to each side and near the top ofy such receptacle. The pipes 29 and 30 are provided with perforations 31 (see Fig. 2)V

of a suitable size through which the Water dottedline32 as contained in Vthemain re-iv ceptacle 151' The trough 33 leads intov the, Y outlet Wastepipe34.' 35 is a screensupporting frame comprising a pair ofupper longi-H `tudinaflmembers 36 and 37, a pair oflorver g 'longitudinalimembers 38 and 39, crossiconnesting members 40 and l41:1 connecting[the upper longitudinal members'36' anda-'37 together at their fend's, cross connecting 'mem-f bers 42 and 43 connecting the lower long itudinal members 38 and 39 together at then` ends. cross connectine` nienibers l-ec and 4:5

i CZ

connecting respectively the upperlongitudi-v tudinal bars 3S and 39. By this means the screens 4.8 are held in a parallel vertical position Within the receptacle. The lower edges of the Screens 48 are Vshaped in form so as to substantially follow the contour of the lower portion oi the receptacle, such lower edge being `provided with suitable copperA binding 50. 51 and 52 are two series of hangers connected at their lower ends to the longitudinal bars 36 and 237 and extending at their upper ends through the slots e and 5 respectively, such upper ends being provided With right angular extensions :33 and 54. 55 and 56 are two series of plates provided With longitudinal ball Ways :37 in .which the ball bearings 59 (see Fig. B) are supported. The extensions 53 and 5l are provided with concaved recesses bearing on top oi the ball bearings 59. By this means the screen frame 35 and screens L18 supported thereby are capable of being reoiprccated bodily to a limited extent Within the inain receptacle 1.

60 is the'main shaft (see Fig. 1) supported in a suitable bearing G1 carried by the top of the main receptacle 1. 62 is a main standard frame. 63 is ay shaft journaled in the standard trarne 62. 6l is a `face friction gear mounted upon the shaft 63. The upper end of the standard traine l62 is provided- With a bearing 65 in which the end of the main shaft 60 is journaled. 66 is a sprocket Wheel carried von the outer end oi the inain shaft 60. 67 is a sprocket Wheel carried on the outer end of the shaft 63 and 68 is a sprocket chain forming a driving connection between the sprocket gears 06 and 67. 69 is a shaft journaled in brackets 70 extending from the standard frame G2.

71 and 72 are eccentrics secured upon the sha-ft 69 and 73 and 7i are eccentric straps each provided With a lorlred end 76 is a bloclr carried by each ci the longitudinal members 30 and 37. 'Ti' is a bar extending outwardly from each block 76 to which it is secured. The bars T7 extend through openings 7S formed in the end ivall oi' the niain receptacle 1. The outer end of each bar is pivotally'connected in the forked end (5 oi the corresponding eccentric strap or 74. The shaft 69 is provided Vith a longitudinal feather hey 79. S0 is a, friction gear 'and lthe rubber cover 105 slidably nounted upon the shaft 69 and in Contact with the face of the face friction gear 04C. The huh 81 0i' the jfriction gear 80 .is prcwided with an annular groove 82. 83

end of the bracket T0 and held from longitudinal movement by the annular shoulders 81. S5 is a turning knob fastened upon the outer end of the threaded spindle. 86 is a sleeve having an internal thread engaging with the thread of the spindle 83. The sleeve is provided with an arm BS, the end of which entends into 'the annular groove 82. By this ine-ans the friction gear may be adjusted radially in relation to the center of the face friction gear Se. 89 are supports for the Inain receptacle 1; 90 and 91 are bearing frames similar in construction. Each oi the bearing trames 90 and 91 is provided "with lugs 92 and 93 through Twhich extend suitable bolts to connect'the same to the bottoni oi the main receptacle. Each bearing frame 90 and 91 is provided With a irrounding rib 94 extending from the inner face thereof and cross rib 95. Each frame 90 and 91 is provided With an open portion 96 (seellig. 2).' 97 and 98 are bearing plates slidably held in the :trarne formed by the' ribs 941 and 95. Eah plate 97 and, 98 provided with a bearing portion 99 (see Fig. 2) having a central orifice 100 provided vvilih an enlargement 101 at its inner end. 102 and 103 are shafts journaled in the oriiices of the plates 97 and 98. One of the shafts 102 or 103 is extended outwardly as indicated particularly in Fig. 52's@ as to be connected to a suitable driving source.

101 are rollers secured on the shafts 102 and 103. Each of the rollers 104; is prolv` vided with a rubber covering 105 which revolve in Contact. 106 and 107 are metallic rollers revolving in contact with the rubber covering 105 ot' the rollers 104. As indicated by dotted lines in Fig. Qthe ends of the rollers 106 and 107 are provided with reduced ends 108. Between the plates 9T at each end of the machine extends a nietallic bar 109 provided with a concaved lovver portion 110 in ivhich the periphery oi the roller 100 111 is a bar secured to the loiver face oi' the main receptacle 1 and is provided 'with a ground louer face engaging' with the upper ground face of the bar 109.' rEhe plate 9S is provided with a vel ti il grome 112 and the plate 97 with a vertical tongue 11?) Biting vwithin the vertical groove 112 so as to i'orin a Water tight joint. ,l1/l and 115 are bars .similar to thc bars 109 and 111. the barsv 111i and 115 being located on the opposite side of the slotted opening lo the bars 109 and 111. rlhe bars lli. 115, 109 and lll react with the rollers 1^@ and 10T to forni avv-cater. tight ivall betiveenthe bottoni oi the receptacle l l of the revolving a threaded spindle `iournaled in the outer insane? 'rollers 105e 116 are adjusting screws by which the bearing plates 97 and 98 may be adjusted to and from each other.

Having described the principal parts in vol'ved in kmy invention l Will briey describe the operation of the same.

The ground ore is fed into the hoppers l0 and 1l and passes through the slots 12 and 13 into the receptacles 8 and 9. The revolving conveyers 2l and 22 gradually distribute the material longitudinally of the receptacles 8 and 9 and gradually spill it in a thin stream over the upper edge of the ribs 2d and 25. These streams of ore particles pass down the chutes 19 and .2O intol the main receptacle beneath the liquid eve It is a well'lrnown fact that ore particles when fed into the liquid from above the liquid level are mixed With air and the air interinixed therein causes the metallic particles to rise to the surface, and therefore, prevents proper precipitation.

By my device as above described the ore is fed into the main receptacle below the liquid level and, therefore, the danger of air mixing with the kparticles is obviated. The screens '-18 are agitated by the revolving eccentrics 7l and 72, agitatingv the liquid in the receptacle, which agita-tion causes the lighter or rock particles to rise to the surface oit1 the liquid in the main receptacle and the heavier or metallic particles to be precipitated to the bottom of such receptacle. In ordei"t o do 'this the screens have to be vibrated at a speed inproportion to the size of the ore particles. This rate of speed has to be found by experience. ln order to adjust the mechanism to vibrate the screens at the speed required to precipitate the particles of the size which have been fed int-o the machine I turn the knob 85 and threaded spindle 83 so as to move the sleeve 86 longitudinally thereon. By means of the arm 88 engaging the annular groove 82 I move the friction gear 8,0 radially in relation to the face friction gear 6. By this means the screen driving mechanism is regulatec in order to reciprocate the screens at the desired speed. The Waste or rock material, rising to the surface of the liquid contained in the main receptacle l, floats gradually on the surface to the center of the receptacle l and over each side edge of thellrough 33 and then out through the-waste outlet 3l. Tire normal level of the liquid .is maintained by the supply fed in through the perforations ot the pipes 29 and 30. 'The precipitates or concentrates pass downwardly through the slot 3 With a certain amount of the liquid, such liquid passinof oil' through the Waste pipes 116 It will, of course, be understood that the rollers 104; arercvolving continually 1n contact and that the precipitates are caught between the revolving surfaces of the rollers and ted downwardly-between such rollers f into a suitable receptacle.' I

From this description it will be seen that l have devised a very simple machine which Will extract from ore all metal values such as are commonly extracted yfrom ore. In certain classes of minerals such as sulfide, however, the ore after having passed through pulverizing rollers is broken up into such very line particles as to escape observation even through a magnifying glass and mining men as a rule have been unaware as to their existence and those particles have, therefore, been Wasted. These particles when subjected to the operation of my machine rise to the surface of the liquid and are collected in the foainlying on the surface of the liquid which gradually gathersy in the inlet passage. Such foam can be scooped out from beneath the inlet from time A to time. These very fine particles form themselves into a substance in the feed inlet by a natural attraction or affinity existing between the particles of metal of the same kind Which cements them together.

It will thus be seen that my machine by this operation enables the operator to reniove from the ore a 'very much higher percentage of the metal contained therein than is possible by any other method.

What I claim as my invention is:

l. In a mineral concentrator, a precipitating receptacle, liquid supply ducts designed to maintain the liquid Within the receptacle lat the required level, means for feeding crushed ore into the receptacle beneath the water level, a Waste discharge located slightly beneath the liquid level, and a series of vertical parallelly arranged screens, a suitable frame connecting the screens together, means for slidably supporting the screen frame Within the receptacle, and means for imparting a reciprocating movement to the frame, as and for the purpose specified.

2. ln a mineral concentrator, a precipitating receptacle, liquid supply ducts designed to maintain the liquid Within the receptacle at the 'required level, means for feeding crushed ore into the receptacle beneath the Water level, a Waste discharge located slightly beneath the liquid level, a series of vertical parallelly arranged screens, a suitable frame connecting the screens together, means for slidably Supl..

porting the screen frame Within the receptacle, means for imparting a reciprocating moveinentto the frame, and means `for con- 125 trolling the speed of the reciprocating movement, as and for the purpose specied. 3. ln a mineral concentrator, a precipin tating receptacle designed to contain a body of water, et means for feedingpulverized 130 ore into tlie body of Water below the suriaoe thereo, substantially vertical means f for causing uniform vibrations in the Water substantially without Water flow comprising a plurality of reciprocating screensg the diste-noe between the screens being less than the length of their movement,

4L. ln e mineral eoneentrator, a precipiteting receptacle designed to contain a body of Water, means for feeding Crushed ore into the receptacle intermediate of the4 heighty of the body of Water, a reciprocating frame substantielly of' the same Gross setional area as the body of Water and car rying a parallel series of members each provided with cross parallel substantially Verticalfineinbers :forming narrow horizontal openings therebetween arranged in close proximity one above the other, and means for reciprocating the frame to produce visubstantielly Without Water low whereby and having a suitable outlet through whichV the surface Water ows, ineens for feeding crushed ore into the receptacle beneath the Water level, a horizontally vibrated series of parallelly arranged vertical screens, and

means for vibrating the screens beneath theV surface of the Water whereby the rook par tieles ere carried upward to the enti-lowing surface Water.

7. ln a mineral eonoentrator, a stationary receptacle containing a deep body of Water, means for feeding crushed ore into the reeeptaele beneath the Water level and a series of vertical parallelly arranged screens supported in the receptacle beneath the Water level and in close proximity yone to the other, and' means for Vibrating the screens in a horizontal direction.

ALFRED MOLANDER.

Witnesses s Beerse CHRISTINA STUART3 Bnssm PEARL LAWSON. 

